Aesire's call rang out clear and true across the Plateau -- it was a summon that surprised him, given the silver female seemed more intent on avoiding him.. and her pack mates. HIs eyes flashed darkly as he nudged the final piece of dirt over the freshly stored cache, having just placed a half eaten pheasant within the ground. He of course had expected the queen of the Plateau to breed -- perhaps, though, she would have gained his blessing if she had been open with him from the start.


Their days had been quiet, and for that, he was grateful. His own uneasy mind flashed back to his night with Aponi, feeling a twist of sickened guilt in his chest. He was old enough to be the girl's father -- and while nature dictated the Alpha take a strong mate by his side, he had now been through two different she-wolves -- even had two litters with one. He held no intention of taking a mate, and he could only hope she would take their one night stand with the simplicity of what it had been -- a moment of weakness, where he had sought the loving embrace of another.


He came upon the two lovebirds -- his eyes swept over them, and while he did not catch sight of the slight changes in Aesire's physique, he did note the change of her scent, and a stoical mask slid over his features, his figure stiffening. He spoke nothing -- his fiery eyes merely swept between the two, awaiting word on what it was they had called him for.


He wanted them to tell him of how they had decided to sneak around behind his back, rather than coming to him first -- how they had deemed him, the creator of the haven they currently resided, as unimportant in the knowledge of bringing forth a litter the entire pack would need to sacrifice themselves for.

His gaze shifted between them -- they stood before him, their dappled silver fur blending together, as if they were naughty children waiting for the storm to wash over them. Aesire had every right to breed -- what else had she fought for? Still, the surprise of it all was the least of his concern, and he cast a cold glance to either of them. "A heads up would have been nice," he determined then, his tone far more casual than normal. Yet while Aesire had every right to breed.. Ace did not, and the male had blatantly challenged his authority -- to procreate without even coming to him, the leader he had pledged his loyalty to, and the wolf who had taken him and his young friend in to his home.


"Give me one good reason why I should not chase you out of these lands now for your challenge to my authority," he spoke then, his harsh eyes rounding upon Ace. It was a very open question -- and one that deserved a very good answer to. The ivory King had not determined yet what he would do -- if the punishment would be banishment of the silver male from his lands.. but it would be know that there would be retribution of some kind. This pack was built by himself and the simple thought of that being challenged.. his paws clenched the ground as he held himself back, waiting for more of an answer -- for a reason. Something more substantial than 'we had an oops.'

Aesire's words were foolish -- the reasoning she gave him doing nothing but stirring a harsh snort from the stoical male as he cast his blazing gaze upon her now, instead of her counterpart. "You had all the time in the world to tell me," he responded sharply. She had simply chosen not not. His tail gave an aggravating twitch then, his muzzle giving a harsh shake. "You fought because I asked of it. You all simply sat there, as if nature would work itself out in the end," he reminded her, his tone lowering as he looked upon her with open disgust then.


"And if it was breeding rights you fought for, you should have made that known as well. Now let us all hope there won't be two litters this year for the pack -- survival of one is hard enough," he spat out. Of course, he was no oracle nor prophet -- his only intent in that moment was to elicit concern in her for rash choices made. The thought of his brief interlude with Aponi was the farthest from his mind.. not believing that one night would result in anything.. and even if it had, it was he who had brought this pack together, and he would not have his authority challenged so blatantly.


Looking upon them both, he swallowed the desire to chase Ace with his tail between his legs from his land. If all turned out well, they would both steal away in to the night and never look back. Hypatia was at a prime age to challenge -- and she could win the title of leader.. of that, he was certain.


Without another word, the ivory Argyris swept away, finished with the conversation as it was. He had nothing more to say, and unless either of them pressed further upon the topic and walked after him, he would not look back.